The town in question is Crested Butte, Co., and it’s come into the limelight after finding out that it’s a possible candidate for Bud Light’s “Whatever” party, scheduled to take place from September 5-7.
The Denver Post reports that the town, which is apparently known for its unique and costume-filled events, held a three-plus-hour heated public forum Monday night. While some argued that the event would be a big money-making opportunity for the town (and a great party, to boot), others said that it would damage the town’s image.
Should Crested Butte become the location for the “Whatever” party, the town will have to agree to — as Bud Light owners Anheuser-Busch call it — “augmentations.” This would include painting the town’s Elk Avenue, as well as lampposts, bright blue. Buskers would perform up and down the street among “pop-up bars” and downtown bars would only be allowed to serve Bud Light beer. The city’s two big venues, the Mine Ice Arena and the Center for the Performing Arts, would turn into performance venues for bands and presumably other performers.
Should the town agree, it will receive $250,000 from Anheuser-Busch.
The biggest problem residents had was that no one heard about it until roughly two weeks before the party takes place.
“I do not understand how this got this far down the road in absolute secrecy,” said former Sen. Tim Wirth, a Crested Butte resident. He also said he doesn’t want to see the town turned into a “beer parlor.”
The secrecy was apparently a part of Bud Light’s “Whatever” campaign, which keeps its activities a mystery and often posts several teaser videos and images over social media to build up hype.
Crested Butte mayor Aaron Huckstep also added that the town hasn’t officially accepted or rejected the deal yet, as council needs more time to study the issue.
